Plasma kinetics of lutein, zeaxanthin, and 3-dehydro-lutein after multiple oral doses of a lutein supplement.

Background: Adequate intake of lutein is postulated to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration, but kinetic information for developing a dosing regimen is sparse.

Objective: The objective was to characterize lutein plasma kinetics in a multiple dosing design and to assess the effects of lutein intake on concentrations of other plasma carotenoids.

Design: After a run-in period of 7 d, 19 healthy volunteers were assigned to receive daily oral doses of 4.

Comparative multiple dose plasma kinetics of lycopene administered in tomato juice, tomato soup or lycopene tablets.

Background: Lycopene is mainly provided in tomato and tomato products in Western diet. Among other factors the systemic availability of lycopene from natural sources is dependent on release from the cell matrix as achieved by food processing.

Aims Of The Study: The purpose of this study was to compare plasma concentration responses of total lycopene and its major isomers to dosing of the carotenoid as tomato juice, tomato soup or tablets containing synthetic lycopene.

Detection of adverse drug reactions in a neurological department: comparison between intensified surveillance and a computer-assisted approach.

Objectives: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) leading to hospitalisation or occurring during hospital stay contribute significantly to patient morbidity and mortality as well as representing an additional cost for healthcare systems. The aim of this study was to provide data about the type and incidence of ADRs in a neurological department and to compare two different methodological approaches to collecting information on ADRs.

Methods: The two methods used were intensified surveillance of neurological wards by daily ward rounds and computer-assisted screening for ADRs by means of pathological laboratory parameters.